A blog by Regional Leader for the North East and Midlands Elim Churches UK

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Here comes the Church!

Acts 21:32 “He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.”

Paul was being killed by the angry but deceived mob. At the same time news had reached the commander of the Roman troops that Jerusalem was in uproar.

Why did the rioters stop beating Paul? This maybe obvious to you but it could be one or all 5 of the following:

Authority

Power

A united front.

Momentum

All the above was seen.

…. And they saved Paul who was moments from death.

There are many who are being beaten in life.

Here comes the Church:

With authority (Luke 9:1; 10:19 and many more) given to us by Christ. Our position. Paul would later write about us being seated with Christ.

Here comes the Church:

With Power. Closely tied with authority. Power flows from authority. It acts and influences from the position of authority. In the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 it starts with ‘Therefore’. It sits between authority and power. Christ says ‘I have all authority’ (therefore) ‘Go into all the world’. From the base of authority power flows, the ability, the skill, being equipped for every good work to influence many.

Here comes the Church:

In Unity. We must never underestimate the influence of agreement. The early Church were one in their aspirations and their deliberations. There were no selfish claims. The gospel was effective and the grace of God provided for any need whatsoever. How? They were united. (Acts 4:32-35)

Here comes the Church:

With momentum. David Killed Goliath because of the sling in momentum. We have to keep on doing what we should be doing and God will do what only He can do. I long to see 2 movements: that of God’s people and of God. Acts 2:46-47 says that God’s people were continuing to do what they should do (building momentum) and God was doing what only He could do in building His Church.

Here comes the Church:

Seen. I live in a parallel universe. In one part of the world the Church to survive has to hide and be like yeast in dough. Their buildings are perhaps on the lower or upper floor of the Pastors house. In some nations it is difficult to find the Church because of the danger, nevertheless it is there. But then in the safety of the West I find the same sometimes. It is hard to find the church. Where is the Church? Paul says that it is the purpose of God that His wisdom be seen through the Church by the principalities and powers of this world. Let the Church be seen in all sectors of life.